Monday, April 11, 2016

Steve Orlando Interview

With the news of the new Supergirl series coming out of #Rebirth still fresh, I reached out to writer Steve Orlando for an interview. A big thanks to DC PR and Orlando for answering a few questions about the new book and Supergirl in general.

I was feeling optimistic about the book from everything that I had heard before this interview but I am doubly optimistic now. So enjoy ...

Anj: Congratulations on being named
writer on the Supergirl Rebirth book. I was wondering if you could talk about
your history with the character? Have you always been a fan? Is there a
favorite Supergirl run in the background?Orlando: I have long been a fan! Probably my
first live interaction with Kara was when she debuted on Superman: The
Animated Series, with her distinct urge to explore and to “VROOM”
everywhere she went. I had encountered her before, in trading cards, in Crisis
on Infinite Earths, but those were all backlogs, collecting I did when I
was voraciously reading up on the DCU as a young, erstwhile fan. But when she
debuted in the Dini/Timm series, it was fresh, I was seeing it at the same time
as the rest of the world, not playing catch up, and I loved it. I loved the
energy, the positivity and the joy associated with the character – her
unfaltering ability to stay positive despite the tragic circumstances that
brought her to Earth.And that’s really what first made me
connect to Kara – her history is in many ways even more tragic than her
cousin’s, with her being a teenager when she left Krypton, and having real,
tangible things that she’s left behind. But I connected with that, she tries
her hardest not to let it weigh her down, or weigh other people down. I think
her tenacity is something we can all aspire to – and really, superheroes,
icons, we want them to to aspirational figures. Kara to me is all about
positivity in the face of adversity, and through her experienced with that, a
wealth of understanding. For me, that all started with her animated series
appearances, to the Earth-Born Angel run, to the return of Kara Zor-El, and the
growing accumulating DNA that brought us to where we are today.

2. What do you find compelling or
intriguing about her character? What about her interested you enough
to write the new book?I hinted at it a bit above, but to
me, it is Kara’s approach to the world that draws me to her. For one, she has a
more real, detailed, and rich immigrant or refugee story than her cousin, who
woke up to loving human parents and only later learned about the world he lost.
Kara, leaving real people, real memories, coming to Earth with real opinions,
having to learn a new language, a new culture, being adopted by new parents.
All those things ring so true to me for what people go through, and as to her
feeling at times like an outsider, what I have gone through both in my personal
life being bisexual and in my adult life traveling to different cultures and
nations. Kara’s positivity in the face of all this, her perspective, is what I
find truly inspiring.And as I said above, THROUGH that
comes her vital, unique understanding of people, or more so, a need to
understand. That underlying unity that someone with super senses must feel, when
a planet of 6 billion people can seem like a small village to her.Early on I realized, and I still
think it’s true – plenty of heroes show up, stop the bad guy, and send them to
prison. But Supergirl shows up two weeks later to see
how they’re doing, and how she can help. She’s been there. She’s been in tough
situations. She’s made mistakes. And she wants to understand you, and help you
through yours.

3. Can you talk about the pitch
process? Did you approach DC editorial? Or did they approach you? How far
ahead do you have stories planned?Much like my pitch process on MIDNIGHTER,
the pitch for SUPERGIRL began with one idea, which grew into
the statement I gave above:
“Supergirl’s compassion is as mighty
as her strength.”With pitching for characters, it’s
always a little from column a and a little from column b – there’s outreach
from the office, and then a conversation about where you’d take a character,
why they’re important to you, what your take is. I found the offer of SUPERGIRL extremely
intimidating, following in the footsteps of some amazing runs, and working with
a character that means so much to so many people. But in truth, if you’re NOT
intimidated taking on a character, then I don’t think you’re truly
understanding what these comics, and these icons, mean to people. These are
characters and ideas that change lives, that save lives, and so they demand an
inherent reverence, respect, and passion. Since I did MIDNIGHTER,
there isn’t a comic convention that goes by where someone doesn’t come up to me
and say the character has given them the strength to come out, to be
themselves. And I know people connect with Supergirl in the same, incredibly
passionate way. So the offer was an honor for me, and a challenge.As for how long I have planned out –
as you may know from my work I am a huge DC Universe nerd and always looking to
explore new corners and add new facets to a world that so strongly influenced
me as a child. So I have stories planned for a long time, as long as readers
will come along with me. And every time I crawl down a wiki hole or crack open
my DC WHO’S WHOs, the plans grow exponentially.

4. Can you, if possible, talk about
the transition from the last book to this new one? Is this the same Kara? Has
time passed? Will we be seeing some of the supporting cast or villains
from the last series?I can talk a bit about it, sure –
but not much. This is definitely the same Kara you saw in the New 52 SUPERGIRL series,
sixteen years old, new to Earth. In story time, she has been on Earth for less
than a year, and in that time has gotten into some trouble, be it her skirmish
in Siberia when she landed, or her actions as a Red Lantern. But she’s putting
that anger in the past, and looking forward, thanks to some new friends and a
fresh start as seen in SUPERGIRL: REBIRTH.The book will pick up from Super
League, going on right now in the Superman family of books, BUT Super
League is not required to pick up SUPERGIRL: REBIRTH,
which will set the stage all on its own if you like. As for supporting cast, we’ll
see some new faces, some faces from previous adventures Kara has had, and one
major villain rearing his Cybernetic Head as the Cyborg Superman comes in
search of Kara. In the previous series, the readers knew he was Zor-El, but he
did not, and Kara did not. Now that information is out, and it changes
everything.

5. How would you describe the tone of
the book?Optimistic! Kara is definitely
working her way through adjusting to Earth, which is something she hasn’t had
time to do in the New 52 after basically running in the red since she landed a
few months ago. And there’s an adjustment period – she’s been welcomed to
Earth, yes, and wants to become a part of our world. But it’s a new language,
it’s new culture, and especially compared to Krypton, our “advanced” Earth
technology seems like stone age tools to Kara.But to be Earth’s protector, to help
us, she HAS to understand us, and so she remains committed to her goal, and to
herself. Even if things aren’t always easy, even if she has moments of doubt, she
remains caring, she remains steadfast, and dedicated to the world that welcomed
her when her own blasted her into space.

6. Any last things you’d like to say
to the Supergirl fandom who visits here?

The Super family of books is incredibly important to me – and I hope that
comes through in the first page, the first issue, and the first year of SUPERGIRL. But
to me that doesn’t mean a line of books about Superman himself, or characters
trying to be like Superman. It’s about awe. It’s about wonder. It’s about huge
comic book ideas. And it’s about compassion. I think Supergirl would be
Supergirl even if her cousin never made it to Earth, because her outlook would
never let her go down a different path. She’s intelligent, she’s caring, she’s
brave.

We talk a lot about what it means to be “a super” in the DCU. And it
transcends the surface level things like being related to Superman. The
diversification of the Super family of books shows just that – being a Super,
being super, is something we can all achieve to. It’s in how these
characters, and Supergirl especially, always sees and roots for the best in us,
EVEN if we don’t ourselves.

And in SUPERGIRL I’m excited to put that to the test,
and usher in a new day for the Girl of Tomorrow.

13 comments:

What a wonderful interview, thanks for coming up with some great questions, Anj, and cheers, Steve, for being so accommodating. I cannot see even the most curmudgeonly of us failing to be cheered by this interview - it sounds as if we have a great Kara coming, and she can't come soon enough.

I really like what Orlando shared here. Seems like he really does understand Kara and is excited to write her. I dig that he learned about Supergirl through the DCAU cuz I did as well back when I was younger. I love how he talked about Kara adjusting to life on Earth and wanting to be who she is. I think he summed things up when he said even if Clark/Kal wasn't on Earth she'd still be Supergirl.

DEFINATELY some good things said in the interview, and thanks for getting in that question aboutwhether there would be any linkage to Supergirl #40, Anj. Good to know that they aren't COMPLETELY wiping that out... will see how it plays in the actual monthlies when they come out.

Great way to start Monday AM, to the next ep of Supergirl TV tonight! :)

If SM-TAS Kara is this guy's "True North" then I have no fears about this series, I am sure Supergirl will shine. I even like the longer-than-usual skirt.Bruce Timm "got Supergirl" and revived her on TV in the teeth of opposition from DC Comics, her current centrality in the DCU dates from this, I look forward to this comic as a consequence because it is derived of "Good DNA".

Nice interview, Anj. I love Steve Orlando's work on Midnighter, and when he was announced for Supergirl Rebirth I thought I couldn't be happier about it... I was wrong, 'cause this interview put my expectations at its highest. I loved everything I read in here, guy is talking about MY Supergirl. I trust you, Steve! And just in case you're reading this comment: can you, please, convince DC to bring back Nasty Luthor to canon?

Seems like Steve Orlando will be a good match for Supergirl's upcoming DCU comics series. He definitely seems very aware of who this character is, and that her special skill set goes beyond the surface of what others might perceive.

Oh, wow! I could not be happier with this interview. He mentioned Earth-Angel Supergirl/Linda positively!!!!! He GETS Supergirl. And, to this gay fan, it's really nice that he's bisexual, and knows what being a sexual minority is like.

I hated the new 52 Supergirl. I don't know how he can incorporate her personality into this Kara but I DO trust his vision. I wish the artwork were a little less cartoony. I hate seeing all the female characters Batgirled.

I hated the new 52 Supergirl. I don't know how he can incorporate her personality into this Kara but I DO trust his vision. I wish the artwork were a little less cartoony. I hate seeing all the female characters Batgirled.

Thanks for this amazing insight into the new comic, Anj and Steve Orlando! I was so disappointed when Supergirl was cancelled (or put on hold) but I'm also glad to hear that the Nu52 isn't being entirely abandoned. I came on board to DC in the Nu52, and while there were some legitimate complaints, I like that the character development and growth is being rewarded. Looking forward to this new chapter in Kara's story.